New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-07-20
BREACH OF DISCIPLINE d Z

Its no use speaking, Brereton, |
must GO"
Are you mad, Kendall? It's your
night on guard, and you know what
martinet the colonel isl
"Confound the colonel! I tell you,
I will go. The colonel is not dancing
man. He'll know nothing about it"
Don't you believe it. The colonel's
thick with those Lindsay girls, and
I'll bet you ten to one he's there to
meet them.''
ooh, hang it. I'll take my chance
then,'' was the reply in the logged
tone Of a man who knows he is in the
wrong, but does not choose to yield.
The speakers were two officers OF the
tn regiment, quarteredf for the last six
months at Singleborough. The sub
ject Of discussion was a great public
ball which was to take place that
evening.
The regiment was to be relieved in
day or two, and the ball would be the
last at which the gallant officers Of the
-th would appear in that hospitable
town. It had been q gay season, and
the red coats had entered heartily in
to the festivities, and now, that their
departure drew nigh, there might have
been many an incipient heartache in
a gentle bosom here and there. The
girls indeed OF that favored district
were so pretty, that even a brave
soldier might be excused if a pang shot
through his manly breast at the
thought Of leaving them behind.
Capt. Kendall looked very obsti-
nate as he answered the prudent adj
monitions of his friend Brereton, who
gave q long whistle and tapped the
ground ominously with his cane.
IT gave you creditor more common
sense he resumed after pause.
Then you were mistaken, you see."
$50 it seems, but it's an awful pity.
You'll be cashiered to certainty, for.
the old fellow is as keen as a hawk,
and is sure to find you out. l say,
I man, be advised; give it up; the same's
too dangerous.
'Pooh!" exclaimed the other testi-
lv. 81 tell you the colonel won't be
there, and if he were. trust to me to
dodge him. Why, bless you! he's
blind as mole!'
His friend looked utterly unconyinc-
ed, but rem onstrance was plainly Of
no use.
@s.It's all because of that Leslie girl, y
he said ruefully, for he was honestly
ATTACHED to his messmate, and saw
clearly the consequences which might
!be expected to followupon his attend
ance at the ball. Lord! what an ass
spooning makes OF fellow! Thank
heaven, I'm not in love-
Spare your eloquence, and have
done now, can't you?" replied Capt
an j will, but trust me to take care Of
myself"
@ The two friends walked down the
rest of the street in silence till Brere-
ton turned into his club, while the
other went on, with a slightly anxious
frown on his handsome, sunburnt face,
and swinging his cane uneasily. He
knew Brereton was right, but wrong
is apt to be stronger than right some
times; the temptations, in his case
4 was powerful.
He was about to commit, deliber-
:ately, a glaring breach OF military dis
scipline, which, ii Undiscovered, would as
suredly cost him dear and put an end
& to more pleasant hopes than one.
Nevertheless he was quite determined
TO risk it. It WAS his duty to keep
guard that night at the Royal Bank,
and his colonel was not a man who
would likely overlook even a trihine
offence against the military code.
What, then, was the motive which
could induce this gallant y Dung officer
of Her Majesty's service, who had
already won distinction for his brav.
cry on the battlefield, and who had
always acquitted himself we'll and
honorable heret ofore, to plan reckless
Nv SO grave an Infringement OF duty as
the aband onment Of the post he was
bound in all honor to guard?
We offer no excuse. But the explas
nation OF his conduct must be found
in his state Of mind, which was abnor
NAL. Brereton was right. There was
q woman in the case. Before his
mind s eye there danced a lovely Wis
ion that lured the infatuated young
man from the right path; q pair o
blue eyes, a sweet smile, a graceful
girlish form, to gaze on which the fool
ish fellow would have Travelled miles
And she WAS to BIZ at the ball, sur
rounded by admiring swans. Of one
ar two he was nHdly Jealous: aIac